Huge delays in Social Security processing new retirement applications, does anyone know why

[CatherineP879665]

The website for Social Security used to say that it would take up to 30 days to process new applications for retirement benefits.  In a week it will have been three months.  Now the website says 2-4 weeks, but that has got to still be wrong.

I gather from other forums, that a delay of 2-3 months is now normal.

What I would like to know is, why?

Every time I try to search for information, all of the results are about disability, not retirement.  And not a single results explains why it is taking so long when they already have my entire work history of 47 years, etc.  They have all the information they need.

What exactly is it that they do to process applications which turns 2-4 weeks into 2-3 months.

Does anyone know why?

I cannot work a job right now, my arthritis is too painful.  

I can't wait more months to begin getting retirement checks, I will be homeless.

[GailL1]

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@CathleenP349019 wrote:

When approved I know SS mails a letter, but do most people receive an email asap? Just wondering since I look at the site, thinking why look it email would be sent… any information would be appreciated!!! Thanks 

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IF you have set up your account to receive such notices -  However, the email may just say that you have a “new” notices in your SSA online account and a copy of the notice is there.

SSA.gov - FAQ - Does Social Security send emails to the public? 

[SusieS316167]

My husband applied on 2/1/2025 for April & payment in May. As of today, still stuck in step 2 review.

[CathleenP349019]

Any update mine is the same applied 3/2 for May, still 2 of 3 review?

[GailL1]

Check the payment calendar for May and see what Wednesday his benefit would be set to be paid - he probably won’t get an awards letter until close to the date that the payment is scheduled. (That’s Step 3/3)  Online 1st within his account and then later in the mail.

[rolocedoc]

GOOD LUCK TO ALL! 

[SummerOnTheWay1]

📎  Jeanne @JeanneF312002 , thanks for stopping by and I hope you get APPROVED soon!!!  👍  NO pressure to respond - did you apply "online" and/or stopped by your LOCAL office? Take care, Nicole  👵

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[*** @JeanneF312002 wrote 4/21/25: I applied in February and I am still stuck at stage two of three. It has been almost 2 months. I should be getting my first check on May 1, but that clearly isn’t going to happen short of a miracle. ***]

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[JeanneF312002]

  I applied online. I didn’t go into the local office. (I had a scary experience there 20 years ago.I had been helping my mother with her finances and she was in a nursing home for rehab only, and they turned me in to Social Security and they interrogated me to make sure I was handling her money correctly. I had been doing this for 10 to 15 years. The nursing home wanted to take over her check and she was only going to be in there for 90 days!!!!)

.I checked yesterday and I was approved.!!!!  It took 70 days from the time I applied. It said on the site that I should get a letter within 10 to 15 days.

[rolocedoc]

ATTENTION TO ALL - NOT TO SCARE EVERYONE - BUT TO KEEP YOU UPDATED  - TO NEW RETIREMENT APPLICANTS AND OLD ONES - KEEP OR GET A PART TIME OR EVEN A FULL TIME JOB BECAUSE THIS IS LIKELY HAPPENING SOON!!!

26 Social Security Offices Closing in 2025: Is Your Local Branch on the List?

[GailL1]

@rolocedoc 

You seem to be picking up some old (mis)information.  

SSA.gov updated 04/18/2025 - Correcting the Record about Social Security Office Closings  

I suggest you check the info before posting mis-information.

[GailL1]

@JeanneF312002 The 2025 Social Security Calendar of Benefit Payments - the legend is on the bottom of the form so that you will know which Wednesday of the month you will get for your benefit - but if you asked for May as your beginning month for benefits and benefits are paid one month behind - you probably won't get your 1st benefit until June - on the Wednesday that correlates with your birth day.  What month did you asked for benefits to begin April / May ?

[maryd666163]

UPDATE ON SS RETIREMENT APPLICATION:

 I applied online on February 24th for benefits at 62 years old. My application, like many, was stuck in the second phase of three every time I checked. 

On Friday April 11th I got a call saying that I was approved and that everything was a go to start in April as requested. (Which means a May payment.)

They were very kind and informative; the agent asked me if I wouldn't rather take the survivor benefits that I was eligible for. I had never even considered this, as my husband had died at 57 in 2000. The payment is hundreds of dollars more than mine, and I'm able to keep my own payment growing until full retirement age or until I'm 70, at which point I can switch from his benefit to mine, because at that time mine will be more than his. The only thing they needed from me to change from my benefits to his was our marriage certificate, which I was able to drop off at my local Milwaukee Social Security office. They made a copy and faxed it over to the Chicago location where my application was being processed.

In any case, it was about 6 weeks from application to approval, as is now showing when I look at my online account. The third block is highlighted, and there is a note indicating that I have been approved and that I should get a letter within 10 to 12 days. 

Hope this helps someone out there!

[jimbradfield]

I'm so happy for you! I took applied in February at 69 1/2 years. I decided things were too tumultuous to take a chance on waiting until 70 years. I'm still stuck on step 2. I'm still working 2 jobs (63 hours per week) to make ends meet & am getting tired! Wish me luck that relief will come soon!

[SummerOnTheWay1]

📎  Jim @jimbradfield , I hope you get approved soon!!! Some people had posted on this site that visiting their local office to check on their "online" application helped with approval. I do ADMIRE you so much. You are indeed an "example" of hard work & being responsible. Take care, Nicole  👵

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[*** @jimbradfield wrote 4/16/25:

I'm so happy for you! I took applied in February at 69 1/2 years. I decided things were too tumultuous to take a chance on waiting until 70 years. I'm still stuck on step 2. I'm still working 2 jobs (63 hours per week) to make ends meet & am getting tired! Wish me luck that relief will come soon! ***]

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[jimbradfield]

Thank you Nicole! My name is actually Jan. I have no idea why my name came up as Jim, but I fixed it. Many of the posts here say it took 3 months & I have 3 weeks until that mark. If I don't hear anything then, I'll call or go into the office.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

📎  You are welcome Jan @jimbradfield !!! Take care, Nicole  👵

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[*** @jimbradfield wrote 4/16/25:

Thank you Nicole! My name is actually Jan. I have no idea why my name came up as Jim, but I fixed it. Many of the posts here say it took 3 months & I have 3 weeks until that mark. If I don't hear anything then, I'll call or go into the office. ***]

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[jimbradfield]

Guess what? Funds were deposited in my account today! Yahoo!!! -Jan

[PaulaH805383]

Where is the outrage from AARP about all of this!  Social Security is being destroyed and AARP sits by and says almost nothing.  This isn't the same org that fought for prescription drug cost savings and many other things.  I'm considering cancelling my membership.  I want AARP to fight for us, not capitulate.

[GailL1]

@PaulaH805383 

Your do realize that you are responding to a post that was made on 04/14/ 2023 - that’s (2) years ago - so really for some, not too much has changed.

[mo5298]

I applied for retirement benefits Jan 6 2025 at 62 and 9 months old. I checked many times and it showed as on step 2 of 3. I checked again today and it doesn't show anything, just a message saying they cannot show me the status of my application. What to do? I live abroad so cannot go to any office. Should I try to call? Very worried!😔

[GailL1]

@mo5298

So what was your month of choice to begin your benefits?  Realize that SSA benefits are paid one month in arrears and based on your birth day.  [the legend to this chart is at the bottom of the chart]  So if you asked for March, you will get it in April or if you asked for it in April, you will get it in May.  

All based on this calendar.

 I see that you live abroad.  Just some info for your knowledge on getting your benefit while living abroad - if you live in a place where you can get it.  Are you a citizen of the US?

SSA.gov - Your Payments While You Are Outside the United States 

From your step placement disappearing, I’d say that you payment is in the works - they only send out the payment letter shortly before your payment arrives.  It will be posted on your online account and mailed but your mail might take longer since you are out of the country.   You can also watch the bank account where your benefit is to be deposited - you may see some coding with a zero amount marked as Treasury - if you see this, that means they are checking the validity of the account for accuracy and you should see your payment shortly based on the above calendar of payments.

[mo5298]

I chose January 2025 as my starting month. I was 62 and 9 months back then. I am a US Citizen from birth and have dual citizenship with Spain too.My birthday is April 19th (63). But what has me worried is I can't even login to my SSA account, I just get an error message. Up to about 3 weeks ago, I was able to see that I was on step 2 of 3 but now...nada, zilch. I have sent an email to the Federal Benefits unit of my US Embassy here and really hoping they get back to me to help,p. Phone is useless both for SSA in the US and for the US Embassy here...

[SummerOnTheWay1]

📎@mo5298 , some people posted on this site that INCOGNITO eliminates this issue. Take care, Nicole  👵

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[*** @mo5298 wrote 4/15/25:

I chose January 2025 as my starting month. I was 62 and 9 months back then. I am a US Citizen from birth and have dual citizenship with Spain too.My birthday is April 19th (63). But what has me worried is I can't even login to my SSA account, I just get an error message. Up to about 3 weeks ago, I was able to see that I was on step 2 of 3 but now...nada, zilch. I have sent an email to the Federal Benefits unit of my US Embassy here and really hoping they get back to me to help,p. Phone is useless both for SSA in the US and for the US Embassy here... ***]

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[mo5298]

It worked on INCOGNITO!!!! I am still on step 2 of 3 so I guess I have to keep waiting. THANK YOU SO MUCH! It's a relief to know that at least my application is still there. Appreciate it, Nicole, take care🙏

[c99364a]

Applied 1/2/25 for 3/1 start of retirement..App went to Birmingham, AL.. Just received email today of approval!. Hang in there..

[spbrinduse]

Great to hear!  I applied 1/30/2025 and requested March 1, but it's been stuck at Step 2 as of today April 12.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

📎  I am so HAPPY for you @c99364a !!! Take care, Nicole  👵

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[*** @c99364a wrote 4/10/25:

Applied 1/2/25 for 3/1 start of retirement..App went to Birmingham, AL.. Just received email today of approval!. Hang in there.. ***]

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[rolocedoc]

The element of surprise is about to happen 4 days from today, stay with your jobs, and be patient, this is like the ' Big One' - to be deposited straight to your bank accounts and go to your banks to open a new one for those with no bank accounts - make sure you have provided a bank account and routing number with SSA, don't expect any paper checks in the mail - that's what I have read on msn.com

[rolocedoc]

ALL YOUR PENDING MONEY WILL BE RELEASED THIS WEEK. AMEN. 🙏🙏🙏

[peter22204]

My application took 5 months and 3 days to be approved. I also live abroad. I applied Nov 1, 2024 and requested benefits start March 2025. Waiting is the hard part..

[SummerOnTheWay1]

📎Peter @peter22204 , were you always able to see your status online?  🤔  NOT being able to do this is what is worrying @mo5298 who also lives overseas like you. Take care, Nicole  👵

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[*** @peter22204 wrote 3/10/25:

My application took 5 months and 3 days to be approved. I also live abroad. I applied Nov 1, 2024 and requested benefits start March 2025. Waiting is the hard part.. ***]

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